GLIHBN Chapter 42
by VolareSu Shi continued to work at his desk, recently contacting some out-of-town clients. They were very satisfied with their initial proposal and wanted to arrange a meeting for Su Shi to come over and discuss the details.
After finishing up, Su Shi picked up his phone and saw a message from Song Qingyan, so he replied.
Song Qingyan immediately called, his incessant chatter coming through the receiver.
“No way, Su Shi, don’t tell me you’ve been won over in just one night?”
Su Shi consciously held the phone a little further from his ear, saying in a somewhat unserious tone, “No, how could I? I always remember what you taught me: don’t let people get you too easily, and don’t let them think they can win you over easily.”
This was the golden rule Song Qingyan had summarized after reading hundreds of romance novels. Because he felt that Su Shi had just started to figure things out and was already planning to hang himself from one tree, which wasn’t worth it, he had imparted this wisdom to Su Shi.
“That’s more like it. But why did you see him when he came to the Studio? Couldn’t you have played hard to get?”
“My assistant brought him in directly, probably because she heard his last name was Xu.”
Song Qingyan was exasperated. “You, everyone at the studio knows your boyfriend’s name, but what about him? Who around him knows about you?”
“You can’t compare it like that. If the people around him know, it’s the same as his mom knowing.”
“You’re still too kind and too considerate of others.”
Su Shi felt like Song Qingyan was looking at him through a beauty filter, and said truthfully, “I’m not that kind.”
“He even went on a blind date behind your back! Do you have to wait until he gets married before you can be ruthless?”
Su Shi fell silent.
“Don’t be so easily swayed. You haven’t been in enough relationships, so you’re easily deceived.”
“Says you, like you’ve been in so many.”
Song Qingyan roared on the other end of the phone, “At least one more than you!”
Speaking of this, Su Shi couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, you didn’t even hold hands before Qiao Yu broke you up.”
“Screw you!” Song Qingyan finally showed some embarrassment. “We agreed never to mention that again.”
“Okay, okay, I won’t.” To reassure him, Su Shi said, “Don’t worry, I won’t be won over so easily. I’ll give him the cold shoulder for a few more days to teach him a lesson.”
“That’s more like it.”
Su Shi comforted Song Qingyan for a long while before Song Qingyan let him go.
How come Song Qingyan seemed to care more about his affairs than he did himself?
After finishing the call, Su Shi felt mentally exhausted and pinched the space between his eyebrows.
At this moment, Su Shi received another message on his phone, again from Song Qingyan.
I think I saw Chi Ye at the restaurant yesterday. I might be mistaken.
Su Shi replied: I didn’t notice.
Even if Chi Ye had appeared there, it wouldn’t be strange, would it?
Still, Su Shi sent a message to Chi Ye to ask: Chi Ye, did you go out for a buffet yesterday?
Chi Ye said: No, I ate at the apartments last night.
Su Shi then asked Chi Ye: Why did you suddenly come to my place last night?
Chi Ye called directly.
“Su Shi Ge, what are you suspecting?”
As soon as Su Shi heard this, suspecting? He wasn’t. Su Shi quickly explained, “No, what could I suspect you of?”
Chi Ye’s voice sounded a little aggrieved. “Su Shi Ge, is it that now that we’re not living together, our relationship has become distant? Am I not even allowed to care about you?”
“No, no.” Oh dear, these words made Su Shi feel embarrassed. “Chi Ye, don’t overthink it. I didn’t mean that.”
“Su Shi Ge, I haven’t even asked you yet. Why were you in a bad mood last night? Why did you drink so much?”
Su Shi didn’t really want to tell Chi Ye. “It was nothing, I was just bored watching TV, so I had a drink to liven things up.”
“Watching TV requires livening up?”
Su Shi said with confidence, “Can’t I?”
“Of course you can. You can do whatever you want.”
“Then that’s that.”
There seemed to be a pause on the other end before Chi Ye’s voice was heard again. “Su Shi Ge, you must tell me if you’re unhappy about anything. Although I may not be able to help, I’ll definitely be a good listener.”
Su Shi was a little touched. Chi Ye really was, always warming his heart, always.
“No, I’m not unhappy about anything.”
“Okay, Su Shi Ge. I hope you’re happy every day.”
After hanging up, the smile on Chi Ye’s face instantly disappeared. He took a deep breath, and began to play with a pen in his hand, spinning it in circles on his fingers.
Just then, Xu Chongming called, informing him that Jiang Hui wanted him to come over for dinner tonight.
Chi Ye agreed, and then tentatively asked, “Ge, I heard from aunt that you’re on a blind date with Miss Miao.”
“Don’t go around spreading that. Su Shi is still mad at me.”
Chi Ye pretended to be surprised. “How did Su Shi Ge find out?”
“He saw me having dinner with Miao Xinyi last night and got really angry.”
Chi Ye said expressionlessly, “Oh, did you try to coax him?”
“I did, I just came back from coaxing him. It should be almost over. He’s always been soft-hearted. Besides, there’s really nothing between me and Miao Xinyi. I’ve already explained everything. Sigh, it’s just hard to get past my mom.”
Chi Ye smiled without a smile. “Su Shi Ge is really magnanimous.”
Xu Chongming’s tone was a bit smug. “Of course. Su Shi and I have been together for so many years. He likes me just as much as I like him.”
Afterward, Xu Chongming probably felt like he had said too much to Chi Ye and hurriedly hung up the phone.
The pen in Chi Ye’s hand suddenly cracked, piercing Chi Ye’s finger and causing a few drops of bright red blood to flow out.
Chi Ye really wanted to ask Xu Chongming, if you like Su Shi so much, then why are you looking for someone else?
The afternoon was very long. It was easiest to feel sleepy around 3 or 4 o’clock.
Someone in the studio yawned, and as if it were contagious, another person yawned as well.
So someone suggested, “Let’s order some coffee to perk us up.”
Just as they were speaking, a delivery rider walked in, carrying a lot in both hands. Little Jie led the way, also carrying a bag in his hand. “Here, put it here.”
The employees chattered. “Wow, is the boss treating everyone to afternoon tea?”
After everything was put down, Little Jie clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “This is afternoon tea courtesy of Su Laoshi’s friend. There’s coffee and milk tea, as well as desserts. Everyone can take whatever they want.”
A series of cheers rang out. Someone was treating them when they were at their sleepiest, with food and drinks. This was exactly the kind of thing corporate slaves loved the most.
Little Jie took a cup of hot coffee and a small cake to Su Shi’s office.
Su Shi was just about to ask, “Why is it so noisy outside?”
“Mr. Xu is treating everyone. This portion is specially for you.”
Xu Chongming had a way with people, and he was generous, allowing the entire studio to benefit.
“Put it there.” After thinking for a moment, Su Shi added, “Tell everyone to work hard after they’re done eating.”
“Okay!”
Su Shi sent a message to Xu Chongming: Don’t be so extravagant next time.
Xu Chongming quickly replied: It’s only right. Have you eaten?
Su Shi: Mm.
Xu Chongming: That’s good then. Yours is one of a kind.